Environmental and Occupational Influences on Health

Question 1

Define hazard and give categories

Answer 1

Something with the potential to cause harm (indirect or direct temporary or pernamnent reduction in physical, mental or social wellbeing)
e.g.
physical - noise, lighting, vibration
chemical - acids, solvents and fumes e.g. air pollution by tobacco smoke,
mechanical - slips, trips,
biological - bacterial, viral, BBV (needlestick)
psychological - stress, bullying, violence

Question 2

Define the terms risk, risk factor, protective factor and susceptibility

Answer 2

Risk: likelihood of harm occurring
Risk factor: increases risk of harm
Protective factor: reduces risk of harm
Suseptibility: influences on the likelihood of that something will cause harm

Question 3

State factors that influence degree of risk

Answer 3

How much patient exposed
How patient exposed
Conditions of exposure

Question 4

List the four routes of exposure and give examples

Answer 4

Skin: UVA/B, bacteria, cosmetics, pesticides
Blood/sexual: BBVs
Inhalation: environmental tobacco smoke, smog, asbestos, legionella, pesticides
Ingestion: fat, salt, bacteria, pesticides, acrylamide, pthlates

Question 5

Describe the 3 factors that influence risk perception

Answer 5

Feeling in control (voluntary vs involuntary): situations in which we have greater control are perceived as having a smaller attached risk
Size of possible harm: risks involving greater possible harm are perceived as greater than those involving less harm even if the less harmful event is more likely.
Familiarity of risks: risks which we are less familiar with are percieved as having greater harm

Note: people have an aversion to taking risks even when the gains are high. Risk perception is also influenced by previous experience, attitudes, values, beliefs, socio-personality and demographic factors. Young people who are still in emotional development show poor risk judgements and show risk-taking behaviour.

Question 6

Give examples of occupational and environmental disasters

Answer 6

Ash cloud 2010 - possible respiratory problems
London smog 1952 - unusually cold weather and fumes killed
Seveso 1976 - TCDD exposure
Bhopal 1984 - MIC gas killed 2500-5000 people
Climate change - temperature extremes cause respiratory and CVS problems by increasing ozone and pollutants,

Question 7

Give some key statistics on occupational disease in the UK:
Fatal injuries 2010/11
Non fatal injuries
Deaths/year from harmful working conditions
Occupational cancer
COPD
Cases of ill health each year made worse by work
Disease burden worldwide

Answer 7

171
Over 100,000 (1 in 2000 employees)
12,000 deaths/year
8000, 4000 to asbestos
4,000 COPD deaths
1.2 million cases
35%

Question 8

Discuss strategies to prevent workplace exposure

Answer 8

Governments: the enforcement of Health and Safety regulations which must be enforced to limit hazards and accidents
Employers: recognise hazard exists. Reduce exposure to acceptable level eg toluene instead of carcinogenic benzene, welding instead of riveting to prevent hand arm vibration syndrome and hearing loss. Exhaust ventilation. Also admin controls (training and restricting access to hazardous behaviours) and PPE.

Question 9

Describe how an environmental or occupational illness is recognised

Answer 9

Arises in cluster in workforce or community
High exposure recognition
Need detailed history
Detailed workplace investgation by exposure scientists
Need to treat individual case and protect public

Question 10

Explain how in terms of occupational exposure to risk we may be exporting liabilities abroad

Answer 10

Inequalities in health and safety between countries
Local problems may be generated but have consequences globally by companies going abroad to manufacture products where health and safety not as robust.
Need to effectively use limited resources and technology and consider political, gender and human rights issues.